Roscar wins Breeders’ Stakes at Woodbine

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Jockey Justin Stein completed his career Canadian triple crown in style.

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The 20-year veteran kept Roscar close to the rail and made it a path to victory in the $400,000 Breeders’ Stakes at Woodbine on Sunday.

Roscar, sent at odds of 3-1, was never far from the lead early in the 1 1/2-mile race as the pace was slow. As early leader Thor’s Cause drifted out a bit turning for home, Stein just took the route that was left behind and from there, he was able to easily hold off Saccharine, who ended second.

Side Street ended third, giving owners Chiefswood Stables a sweep of the triactor. Race favorite Hurricane Clair was never a factor.

“We really liked this horse today. He’s been showing a lot of talent,” Stein said. “It took him a bit to settle him into stride and he was literally towing me in behind traffic waiting for his chance.”

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“When I turned him free, he did the rest.”

Roscar had won only once in six previous starts. Trained by Rachel Halden, the son of Oscar Performance was coming off a third-place finish in a race on Aug. 11.

Stein, 44, already had a Queen’s (now King’s) Plate title which he won in 2012, and he went back-to-back in the Prince of Wales Stakes in 2022 and 2023.

“It’s getting late in the career and some guys never get the chance to win them,” the B.C. native said. “I’ve been very blessed to have the support of the trainers and owners at Woodbine.”

Stein is also looking forward to a fun week. He is travelling to Mauritius to compete in a racing event there next weekend.

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